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Sharks Address Media Prior To Game 6 Departure

by
Alison High
/ San Jose Sharks

“We need more out of everybody,” said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. “We had a relentless attack five-on-five. It wasn’t relentless when it came to five-on-four and that has to change.”. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Sharks head coach Todd McLellan knows just what he’s going to tell his troops to prepare them for Game 6. But he’s not about to spill that to us.

Prior to the Sharks departure for Detroit on Monday morning, McLellan addressed a dozen media members about the Sharks performance in Game 5 and what he plans to do for Game 6.

“I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to share with our club later on today,” said McLellan. “We’ll have a meeting and we’ll keep that inside the locker room. We worked hard all year to prepare for these moments. We’ll make sure that we take it up a notch higher than we did last night.”

In order to beat the Red Wings in Detroit, every member of the Sharks needs to play better. Although the Sharks put 42 shots on goal in Game 5, they failed to score on their four power play opportunities and had 20 giveaways.

“We need more out of everybody,” added McLellan. “We had a relentless attack five-on-five. It wasn’t relentless when it came to five-on-four and that has to change.”

“We missed some chances early and ended up making a few mistakes in the end,” said defenseman Dan Boyle. “But it’s a new day and I guess you have to try to be positive and look ahead. So that’s what we’re going to do.”

“You knew it was going to be a great series and we’ve had success in Detroit so we’re going to just go in there and try to win a game,” added Joe Thornton.

Although the team was focusing on the game at hand, many members of the media wanted to discuss comments made by VERSUS broadcaster and former Shark Jeremy Roenick about left wing Patrick Marleau.

Following the Sharks loss, Roenick called out Marleau for his performance and indicated that he didn’t play with any heart.

When he was questioned about the comments, Marleau explained that he had not seen the footage or heard what Roenick had said – he was told about it that morning. But he did say he was used to this kind of thing from J.R.

“I can’t control what people say, I just have to go on what I can control and that’s what I’m going to do,” said Marleau. “My focus is just on the next game and being prepared for that.”

His teammates and coach supported him. The loss was a team loss and it shouldn’t fall squarely on Marleau’s shoulders.

“Patty has scored a lot of goals – a lot of big goals – for this team,” said Thornton. “We realize it’s a team sport and we just have to be better – that’s the bottom line. The good news is we’re in control of this series still. We just have to win one game and advance.”

Jeremy Roenick and Patrick Marleau played together in San Jose from 2007-2009. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Roenick’s comments were based on Marleau’s performance in Game 5 and the Western Conference Semifinals. The Sharks franchise leader in goals, points, games and shots had been held scoreless in Round 2 with a minus-3 rating.

“Right now we need him to be better,” said McLellan when he was asked about Marleau’s play. “It’s a simple as that. We need him to be better offensively and defensively, but again I’m talking about one individual. There are others on that line. There is a D-pair that are on that ice at that given time. There is a goaltender and there are a number of other people that have to pick up their play.”

“He’s a big part of our team and he’s our best penalty killer,” said Thornton. “He’s going to score goals when he needs to. He’s a great hockey player and he’s a great teammate.”

NEXT GAMEThe Sharks will play Game 6 in Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, May 10 at 5:00 PM (Pacific). The game will be available on CSNCA-HD, VERSUS and KFOX 98.5/102.1 FM.